Paraphrasing is an essential academic skill, but many students accidentally plagiarize because they don’t know how to paraphrase sources without plagiarizing. Good paraphrasing shows you understand the source.
What is paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing means restating someone else’s idea in your own words and sentence structure. It is NOT changing a few words or rearranging the sentence order.
The wrong way (plagiarism):
Original: «Regular exercise reduces anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.»
Bad paraphrase: «Frequent exercise lowers anxiety by raising serotonin levels in the brain.» (Only changed two words.)
The right way (acceptable paraphrase):
Original: «Regular exercise reduces anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.»
Good paraphrase: «When people exercise consistently, their brains produce more serotonin. This chemical change helps decrease feelings of anxiety.»
Step‑by‑step method:
- Read the original passage until you understand it completely.
- Cover it up (use your hand or another window).
- Write what you remember in your own words. Don’t look at the original.
- Compare your version to the original. If sentence structure is similar or key phrases are identical, try again.
- Cite the source even after paraphrasing.
Three techniques:
- Change the sentence structure (active to passive)
- Change the word class («analysis was thorough» → «analyzed thoroughly»)
- Use synonyms carefully—restructure the idea
Learning how to paraphrase sources without plagiarizing takes practice. Try paraphrasing one paragraph from a textbook each day. Within two weeks, it will feel natural.